The Hemstads entered the dry goods emporium in a glum mood. The store was cheerful enough, with shelves full of bolts of cloth and glass counters displaying all manner of yarn, ribbon, and buttons, as well as knitting and sewing materials. Best of all, at the back of the store, near a curtained-off area for trying clothes on, were ready-made garments for men and ladies, both.
That was a relief. With all that faced them, Hanne had been dreading what she should do if they could not purchase clothes ready-made.

The proprietress was a squat, pleasant woman who held a few pins in the corner of her mouth as she showed the girls her wares. There were white cotton blouses in several different sizes, all cut voluminously, as seemed to be the fashion, with dainty buttons at the necks and wrists. There were also fine full skirts of wool gabardine.

“I wonder,” Stieg said. “Might you know any men who would be willing to take us north?”

“North?” she asked, her eyebrows expressing her opinion before she gave voice to it. “No time to travel now. It’s blizzard season.”

The bell at the door jangled as several new customers entered.

“Yes, yes,” Stieg said, sighing as he thumbed through the limited selection of winter coats. “So we hear.”

“You might try at the saloon if you’re looking for a guide,” said the proprietress. “Though I’d hardly call the men at the saloon the best sort.”

It was then that Hanne saw Owen Bennett. He was standing near Stieg, having come in unnoticed by them all.

“A good horse is going to cost nigh on forty dollars,” the cowboy said. “Then there’s saddles. Bridles. Grub and bedrolls. Do you have enough money to get good gear? I mean really good gear?”

A grin broke over Stieg’s face.

“Yes,” Stieg said. “We have good money. We can buy whatever we you think we will need.”

The proprietress shook her head and went to tend to the other customers.

“What would be your fee?” Stieg asked. “How about fifty American dollars?”

The cowboy’s face broke into a grin as big as the one Stieg wore. “I’d settle for forty.”

“Let’s make it fifty and you make sure we all arrive in one piece.”

“I can’t guarantee it, but I’ll do my best.” He shook Stieg’s hand.

“Mr. Bennett, thank you,” Hanne said. She reached out and touched him on the arm. She’d not been able to stop herself from doing it.

Owen looked away and thought for a moment.

“I liked the look of the stock down at McCallister’s Livery better than the ones at Erlich’s. We’ll take tomorrow to gear up—“

“No, no, Mr. Bennett,” Stieg said.

“Please, call me Owen—”

“We need to leave as soon as we can. Tonight, if possible,” Stieg said.
Owen thought about this for a moment.

“Look,” he said. “If I’m gonna take you, you’re going to have to do as I say. There can only be one trail boss.”

Stieg began to speak but Owen held up his hand.

“Get a good night’s sleep tonight. In the morning, we’ll meet at the Loveland General Stores.

In the meantime, you can see to your personal effects. You’ll all need good, thick coats. Mittens. Thick mufflers. Wool under… undergarments.” He seemed to blush a bit mentioning the unmentionables. “I’ll go look at horses now and we’ll be off by midday tomorrow.”

Stieg drew close to Owen, and lowered his voice.

“We would ask that you keep the news of this hire to yourself,” Stieg said.

“I don’t know a soul in this town besides my dog and my horse,” Owen said. “But you have my word.”

“Very good,” Stieg said. Her brother looked profoundly relieved.

Hanne couldn’t help but smile herself.

Owen seemed suddenly hesitant. He cleared his throat. “Before we part ways for the evening, I’ll need a deposit of ten dollars. If it’s not an inconvenience.”

Stieg agreed happily. He retrieved his wallet from his vest pocket and counted out ten one-dollar bills.

“See you bright and early,” Owen said to them, and he tipped his hat in farewell.

“I like him,” Sissel said once he’d gone. “I like the way he talks and I like the way he looks.”

Hanne had to admit she agreed.